Kael’s POV The anonymous post spread across campus far quicker than Kael had expected.
He didn’t even know it existed.
Not yet.
For him…
It was simply another ordinary morning.
Or at least…
He hoped it would be.
— A gentle knock echoed through Room 407.
“…Kael.” Asher’s voice.
Kael paused halfway through buttoning his uniform.
“…Come in.” The door creaked open.
Asher stood there with his backpack slung over one shoulder.
His dark hair was still slightly damp, and the faint scent of shampoo drifted into the room.
“You almost ready?” Kael nodded.
“…Just one minute.” Asher leaned casually against the doorframe while Kael finished adjusting his tie.
After a few seconds…
“…It’s crooked.” Kael blinked.
“…Hm?” Without asking…
Asher stepped closer.
“Stay still.” Kael froze.
Large fingers gently loosened the knot before retightening it with practiced ease.
Their faces were close.
Very close.
Kael could hear Asher’s breathing.
His own heartbeat became impossibly loud.
“There.” Asher smiled.
“Much better.” Kael looked down.
“…Thank you.” “You’re welcome.” From across the room- Liam watched the entire exchange.
He slowly looked at Noah.
“…Did he just fix his tie?” Noah didn’t even look up from his phone.
“Yes.” “They’re getting worse.” “They’re getting cuter.” “I wasn’t ready to witness true love before breakfast.” Asher threw a pillow at him.
It hit him square in the face.
“Ouch!” — The morning lecture passed surprisingly quickly.
Professor Hargrove announced a field assignment.
“I want every pair to observe different locations around campus and write about student interactions.” Liam raised his hand dramatically.
“Can I observe the cafeteria?” “No.” “The football field?” “No.” “My bed?” The classroom burst into laughter.
Professor Hargrove adjusted his glasses.
“You may observe detention if you’d like.” Even Kael laughed.
Just a tiny laugh.
But Asher heard it.
His eyes instinctively drifted toward him.
There it was again.
That little smile.
It was becoming his favorite thing in the world.
— After class…
The four roommates walked toward the student center together.
Liam walked backward, somehow managing not to trip.
“I’ve got a serious question.” Nobody answered.
“If Asher and Kael were animals…” Noah sighed.
“Here we go.” “Asher is obviously a wolf.” “I can see that.” “And Kael…” Liam looked thoughtfully at the smaller boy.
“…A rabbit.” Kael blinked.
“…Rabbit?” “You panic easily.” “You eat quietly.” “You’re small.” “And if someone raises their voice…” “You look like you’re about to cry.” Kael’s ears turned pink.
“…I don’t cry that easily.” Liam smiled.
“Oh?” Just then…
A loud motorcycle roared past the campus gate.
Kael instinctively flinched.
Liam pointed dramatically.
“See!” “I rest my case.” Even Kael couldn’t help smiling.
“…Maybe a little.” Asher chuckled.
“No.” Everyone turned toward him.
“You’d be a snow hare.” Kael tilted his head.
“…What’s that?” “They’re small.” “They’re quiet.” “They survive things that would’ve broken most animals.” Silence.
Kael stared at him.
No one had ever described him like that before.
Not as weak.
Not as fragile.
But as someone who had survived.
His chest tightened.
“…Thank you.” Asher simply smiled.
— That afternoon…
The four boys split up to complete their observations.
Kael wandered through the botanical gardens on campus.
The place was peaceful.
Butterflies floated between flowerbeds.
A fountain trickled softly in the center.
For the first time in a long while…
His shoulders relaxed.
He sat beneath a large maple tree and opened his notebook.
The words came easily.
“People smile differently depending on who they’re with.” He paused.
Without realizing it…
His pencil continued moving.
“Asher smiles the most when he’s laughing with our roommates…” Another line.
“But his gentlest smile…” Kael stopped.
His eyes widened.
He stared at what he’d written.
“…is the one he gives me.” His cheeks turned bright red.
“…What am I writing?” He quickly scribbled over the sentence.
As though erasing it could erase the feeling too.
But deep down…
He knew it was true.
— Meanwhile…
Across campus…
Asher finished his own observations much earlier than expected.
Instead of returning to the dorm…
His feet carried him toward the botanical gardens.
He didn’t even realize why.
Until he saw him.
Kael sat beneath the maple tree, completely absorbed in his notebook.
A soft breeze played with the strands of his dark hair.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, painting shifting patterns across his face.
He looked…
Peaceful.
Safe.
Beautiful.
Asher didn’t interrupt.
He simply stood there for a moment.
Watching.
Smiling.
Because sometimes…
The happiest moments were the quietest ones.
— To Be Continued…